Quarterbacks

In typical fashion, OU coach
Bob Stoops
hasn't tipped his hand on a front-runner in the three-man race to become the starting quarterback. Maybe the order the three candidates played in last weekend's scrimmage —

Wide receivers

The winner of the quarterback battle has no shortage of targets. The top three receivers —
Malcolm Kelly
(62 catches/993 yards/10 TDs),
Juaquin Iglesias
(41/514/2) and
Manuel Johnson
(36/378/3) — return this season. Keep an eye on emerging threats Brandon Caleb and
Adron Tennell
.

Tight ends

Joe Jon Finley is the senior of the group, while
Jermaine Gresham
has the ability to be a downfield threat, and
Brody Eldridge
has a reputation as a punishing blocker.

Offensive line

At the start of last season, this group was one of the team's biggest question marks. A year later, the Sooners could have arguably the best line in the Big 12. Five players with starting experience return, including center
Jon Cooper
, tackle
Branndon Braxton
and guard
George Robinson
. Keep an eye on tackle
Phil Loadholt
.

Kicking

Garrett Hartley
is one of the best in the nation, but hardly anybody noticed with all the attention on Colorado's
Mason Crosby
and his 50-plus-yard field goals the past two seasons. Hartley made 19 of 20 field goals and 49 of 50 point-after tries and had 31 touchbacks on kickoffs.

Secondary

At least 10 players have experience, making this easily one of the deepest and best units in the nation. The headliner is All-America candidate
Reggie Smith
, who can play corner and strong safety.
Nic Harris
is the top returning tackler and had four interceptions last season.
D.J. Wolfe
,
Marcus Walker
and
Lendy Holmes
are players to watch.

Punting

Michael Cohen
and
Mike Knall
share the punting duties. Knall is particularly effective on pooch kicks pinning opponents deep in their own territory.

Return game

The Sooners want to get Smith, a dangerous playmaker, on the field as much as possible. He is expected to return both punts and kickoffs. Iglesias is also an option.